Fore-plate for rolling-mills.



W. F. CONKLIN.

FORE PLATE FOR ROLLING MILLS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.9 I915- Patented Oct. 24, 1916.

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W. F. CONKLIN.

FORE PLATE FOR ROLLING MILLS.

APPLICATION-FRED AUG.-9. 19l5. LQUQWM, Patented Oct. 24,1916.

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. llli lllllllllllllllllrn s E s s E N n W WILLIAM F. CONKLIN, 0F TARENTUM, I?

STEEL COMPANY, OF BRACKENRIDGE, JERSEY.

ENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO WEST PENN PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF NEIW FORE-PLATE FOR ROLLING-MILLS.

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Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 24, 1916.

Application filed August 9, 1915. Serial No. 44,388.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, WILLIAM F. CONKLIN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Tarentum, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fore- Plates for Rolling-Mills, of which the following is a specification.

My invention consists of an improvement in water cooled foreplates for rolling mills and the like.

It has for its object to provide a foreplate adapted to support the article being rolled in its progress toward the rolls, in such a manner as to reduce the friction, permit removal of waste matter, as scale, etc.; to provide means for supporting the plate during its inward travel toward the rolls by means of a plurality of longitudinal ridges; to so arrange said ridges as to provide a plurality of pairs of ridges at different levels in view of possible sagging of the plate; to provide means for maintaining circulation of a cooling fluid through the plate; and to so construct the plate as to provide ample space between its inner end and the rolls, together with other features of construction and advantage as shall be more fully hereinafter set forth.

Referring to the drawings, illustrating one preferred form of the invention,-Figure 1 is a partial view in elevation of a stand of rolls with the foreplate in position. Fig. 2 is a plan view showing portions of the mill, housings and rolls, and the relative position thereto of the foreplate in position. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line III. III. of Fig. 1. Fig. 4; is an enlarged sectional detailview of the fore plate, indicated by the line IV. IV. of Fig. 2.

In thedrawings, 2, 2, represent the usual housings of a stand of rolls in which are mounted the upper and lower rolls 8, 4, respectively in the customary well-known manner, the rolls in the construction shown being designed for rolling plates or sheets.

My improved foreplate, which is generally indicated by the letter A, is preferably made of a single integral casting having ample area for the support of the somewhat flexible plate or sheet 5 being rolled.

The sheet in the usual operations, which may be of variable width and length, is introduced into the bite of the rolls over the supportlng surface of the foreplate by the workmen, either with or without the use of the extension guide B (Fig. 3). Said extension guide is used with extra long sheets, and is designed to be supported by its inner terminals B in receiving sockets 6, 6, at each outer corner, and by its vertical supporting legs at its outer end, as will be readily understood.

The foreplate is preferably arranged with a slight downward inclination toward the rolls, as clearly shown in Fig. 3, whereby the sheet will be directed inwardly toward the rolls somewhat below their reducing space. The foreplate is supported, for such purpose, by means of an inner cross bar 7, carried by the housings at each end, and at its outer end by supporting brackets S, 8, also secured to the housings, upon which rest the lateral front wing portions 9 of the foreplate. Said wing portions 9 are on the same general level as and constitute the side members of the plate, extending backwardly between the housings, as indicated at 9, to a point adjacent to the rolls. The middle portion of the foreplate, which is undulating in cross section to provide the supporting ridges, hereinafter described, extends inwardly somewhat beyond said side portions, partly between the upper and lower rolls, thereby providing a support for the sheet as nearly as possible to the bite of the rolls. Between such side portions, the middle body portion of the plate is formed to provide a series of alternating upwardly extending longitudinal ridges or supporting ribs, a,a, 7), b, and b, b. The spaces intervening each pair of the several ridges constitute longitudinal depressions or channels 10, the several ridges and channels all sloping downwardly and inwardly toward the rolls. At intervals, the bottom of each channel is provided with a plurality of perforating outlet openings 11, for the purpose of providing for escape of accumulated scale, lubricant, etc., which may be pushed along the channels from the front, falling out through such openings or over the inner ends of the channels. Openings 11 may be arranged as to location and number with a view of best disposing of the waste matter, depending on the material being rolled.

.Iior thepurpose of providing a circulachannels 12 are connected at their front portions with supply pipe 15 and an outlet pipe 16 respectively leading from and to any suitable supply and exhaust connections, whereby to provide for ample water circulation.

v a sheet of normal size and stiflness.

In the arrangement shown, the ridges a, a, at each side of the middle ridges b, b, eX- tend somewhat above said ridges Z) and ordinarily constitute the principal supports for The intervening ridges bare for the purpose of providing supplemental supports in case of the sagging of the'sheets or for comparatively narrow sheets, the outer ridges b,?) also providing for such supplemental support beyond the ridges a. By this means I provide a minimum number, as a pair, of active skids or supports for plates of any given width, thereby reducing the number of contacting faces.

The outermost ridges b, as shown, are on substantially the same level as the side shelf portions 99, which practically forms a continuation thereof, and I preferably bridge across the outermost channels 10, 10 by extending the level of the side plates inwardly to the top of the ridges b for a short distance back of the front of the plate, as indicated at 17'.

The plate is reinforced underneath by transverse strengthening ribs 18, 19, and 20, 20, the latter of which embrace the supporting bar 7, While rib 19 and rear rib 20 are of suflicient cross section to provide for the coring for the circulation channels 1 1 and 13.

In order to prevent any scale, lubricant, or

other foreign matter which may pass beyond the openings 11 from falling on to the surface of the rolls, and to provide an air gap to prevent the heat of the rolls from being transferred to the foreplate, and also to allow the operator to get a full view of the lower roll, and admit of access thereto, the inner end and side portions of the foreplate are hollowed out at different locations. Thus the central end portion between the two principal ridges a, a, is hollowed out in a somewhat semi-circular form, and preferably sloped for clearance, as at 21. At each outer side of the ridges a, a, the inner corners are concaved, as at 22, 22; and the inner side portions are cut away, providing longitudinal side openings between the plate and the housing, as at'23, 23.

By this construction any foreign matter which may possibly reach the rolls, may be readily observed and removed. This is an especial advantage, because the rolls should be kept clean and free for the best results in sheet rolling, otherwise the sheets or plates may be damaged.

The foreplate, as thus constructed and used, is adapted to be readily placed in position, or removed, and is mounted entirely upon supports carried by the housings themselves, requiring no additional support or mechanism, other than the supply and exhaust pipes, and the extension guide B, when used.

An especial advantage of the invention is that it reduces the frictional surface and cases the progress of the sheet toward the rolls, the rounded upper surfaces being easily kept lubricated, while the cooling of the plate prevents undue destruction and wear of the lubricant itself.

The invention may be made in various sizes or proportions, or otherwise changed in different details of construction by the skilled mechanic to suit different requirements or adaptations in use, provided all such changes fall within the scope of the following claims.

What I claim is:

1. A foreplate for rolling mills having a series of longitudinal supporting ridges and alternating channels.

2. A foreplate for rolling mills having a series of longitudinal supporting ridges and alternating channels provided with perforating outlet openings.

3. A foreplate for rolling mills having a series of longitudinal supporting ridges and alternating channels, and means providing for water circulation through the body portion of the plate. I

4. A foreplate of the class described comprising a middle longitudinal ridged and channeled portion and lateral flat portions.

5. A foreplate of the class described comprising a middle longitudinal ridged and channeled portion and lateral fiat portions having laterally extended front supporting portions.

6. A foreplate of the class described comprising an integral casting embodying flat side portions, intervening longitudinal supporting rib portions with intervening chan nels having outlet openings therethrough, and embodying a continuous longitudinal and transverse fluid circulation conduit.

7. A foreplate for rolling mills having a series of longitudinal supporting ridges and alternating channels, said ridges terminating at different levels.

8. A foreplate for rolling mills consisting of a generally flat body portion having its greatest width at front and successively narrower toward the rear, provided with longitudinal supporting ridges and alternating channels, with central and lateral terminal clearance openings.

9; A foreplate for rolling mills having a housings of a rolling mill,

series of longitudinal supporting ridges and alternating channels, and provided with concave clearance openings at its inner central and corner portions.

10. In combination with the rolls and housings of a rolling mill, a foreplate mounted on the housings in advance of the rolls having a series of longitudinal ridges and alternating channels, and having inner central, corner, and lateral recessed edge portions.

11. In combination with the rolls and a foreplate mounted on the housings in advance of the rolls having a series of longitudinal ridges and alternating channels, said channels having openings through their bottoms.

Copies of this patent may he obtained for five cents each, by addressing the 12. In combination with the rolls and housings of a rolling mill, a Water cooled foreplate provided with a plurality of longitudinal supporting ribs terminating at different levels, a plurality of intervening longitudinal channels, means for passing a circulating current of water through the for-eplate, and means foreplate with relation to the rolls.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto aflixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

Witnesses J. B. KEEFE, H. K. TURNER.

Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. 0.

for supporting said 

